submit
B1 (Intermediate)Neutral to formal; common in professional, academic, legal, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to present for consideration or judgment; to yield to authority or control
In computing/technology, to send electronic data (e.g., a form). In interpersonal contexts, to reluctantly accept another's will.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries dual connotations: a neutral/positive act of presenting (submit a report) and a potentially negative act of surrendering (submit to demands). The context clarifies meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Hand in' is a more common, informal alternative in both varieties, especially in educational contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English for the 'present' sense. The 'yield' sense is equally strong in both.
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The computing sense ('submit a form') is universal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
submit something (to somebody/something)submit to somebody/somethingsubmit that...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Submit to your fate”
- “Gracefully submit”
- “Submit with good grace”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Submit the quarterly figures to the board by Friday.
Academic
You must submit your dissertation before the deadline.
Everyday
I need to submit my tax return online.
Technical
Click the button to submit the query to the database.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Applicants must submit their CVs via our portal.
- The army was forced to submit to the invading force.
- Counsel submitted that the evidence was inadmissible.
American English
- Please submit your timesheet by 5 PM Friday.
- He refused to submit to their bullying.
- The lawyer submitted to the court that the case should be dismissed.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used; 'submissively' is the related manner adverb) He complied submissively.
American English
- (Rarely used; 'submissively' is the related manner adverb) She nodded submissively.
adjective
British English
- The submitted manuscript is under review.
- Please use the submitted form as a template.
American English
- Check the status of your submitted application online.
- The submitted proposal met all the requirements.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Submit your homework to the teacher.
- The dog submitted to its owner.
- You need to submit your application before the deadline.
- After a long debate, they finally submitted to the new rules.
- The committee requires all data to be submitted for independent verification.
- A true leader listens but does not blindly submit to popular opinion.
- The defendant submitted an affidavit to the court contesting the claim.
- Philosophers have long debated whether free will requires us to submit to a moral law.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a submarine (sub) sending a mission report (mit) to headquarters—it SUBmits its findings.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUBMITTING IS SENDING FORWARD (for consideration) / SUBMITTING IS MOVING DOWNWARDS (under authority).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'сабмитить' в жаргоне геймеров (играть за саб-персонажа). Основной перевод: представить, подать, подчиниться.
- В значении 'подчиняться' требует предлога 'to' (submit to the rules).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'submit for approval' (use 'for' only with the noun 'submission': 'the submission for approval was late'). Correct: 'submit to approval'.
- Wrong object placement: 'I submitted to them my report.' Better: 'I submitted my report to them.'
- Confusing 'submit' with 'admit' (признавать).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'to submit that...' most closely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Submit' has a broader range, covering peaceful presentation (submit a form) and metaphorical yielding. 'Surrender' is almost exclusively about giving up in a conflict or contest, often under duress.
It is neutral to formal. In informal spoken English, especially in specific contexts, people might say 'hand in' (an assignment), 'send in' (an application), or 'give in' (yield).
Yes, in its 'yield' sense. E.g., 'He argued fiercely but eventually submitted.' In its 'present' sense, it usually requires an object (submit *something*).
'Submission'. It carries the same two core meanings: 1) the act of presenting something (the submission of a report), 2) the state of being obedient (his total submission to the leader).